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Travel health advice

Peak Pharmacy and Tims & ParkerPharmacy staff can provide you with general advice on holiday health as well as specific recommendations for the place you are travelling to.

From safety in the sun to information about travel illnesses, such as malaria, vaccinations, travel during pregnancy and even safer sex on holiday, we can advise and help you make your holiday a happier, safer, healthier experience.

Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK, and it’s a growing problem. Each year, around 2,600 people die from skin cancer.

Skin cancers are caused by damage from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. Protecting the skin from the sun can help prevent these cancers.

Whether you're on holiday or at home, you can protect yourself by following Cancer Research UK's SunSmart messages:

Spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm.

Make sure you never burn.

Aim to cover up with a T-shirt, hat and sunglasses.

Remember to take extra care with children.

Then use factor 15+ sunscreen.

Report any changes to moles or any unusual skin growths to your GP.

Always take special care of children’s skin. The best way to do this is to cover them up and keep them in the shade.

Travel insurance

Whether you’re off on a six-month trek to the Himalayas or a family holiday in Spain, it's vital to have the right travel insurance.

Make sure your policy covers your destination and the duration of your stay, as well as any specific activities you might do. For example, don’t assume your winter sports policy will cover off-piste skiing.

When travelling in Europe, make sure you have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This will entitle you to free or reduced-cost medical care. However, the EHIC won’t cover you for everything that travel insurance can, such as emergency travel back to the UK.

DVT and jet lag

If you think you may be at risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), seek advice from your GP.

On long-haul flights, get up from your seat to walk around and stretch your legs whenever you can. Drink regularly but avoid alcohol. Wear loose, comfortable clothes. There is evidence to suggest that compression stockings are effective in reducing the risk of developing DVT.

To get over jet lag quickly, adjust to your destination as soon as possible. “Set your watch to the time at your destination as soon as you board the plane and try to eat and sleep according to appropriate times in your destination,” says GP Dr Dawn Harper.

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